When Steve Walsh was appointed Everton’s sporting director in 2016, it was met with great fanfare.
After all, Walsh was the man who assembled much of Leicester City’s title-winning squad in 2016, including the likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante.
But, the recruitment chief wasn’t able to replicate the same success on Merseyside, as he signed several players who failed to make the grade.
Davy Klaassen instantly springs to mind after his £23m move from Ajax, whilst Yannick Bolasie is another notable example.
Another of Walsh’s flops has been able to resurrect his career in Spain, though, as he’s outscored Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal this season.
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Everton flop Sandro Ramirez has outscored Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in La Liga
Sandro Ramirez arrived at Everton in the summer of 2017 with a big reputation after netting 14 league goals for Malaga.
Ramirez, a Spain under-21 international at the time, came through the Barcelona ranks and was hot property due to his release clause, which stood at just £5.2m.
The Toffees managed to land his signature over the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Sevilla.
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But, despite Ramirez’s pedigree, he just couldn’t live up to expectations at Goodison Park, scoring just one goal in 16 appearances for the club.
The Spanish striker was shipped back to La Liga on multiple loan deals before finally completing a permanent transfer to SD Huesca in 2020.
The now 29-year-old finds himself at Las Palmas, where he’s netted a commendable nine league goals this term, which is more than Yamal (eight) has managed.
Despite Ramirez’s best efforts, Las Palmas have just been relegated to the second tier of Spanish football, so he’ll likely be on the move this summer.
Walsh’s recruitment wasn’t all bad
Walsh’s reputation among Everton fans isn’t great, but there is an acceptance that, actually, he had a number of successful recruits sandwiched between the expensive flops.
The former Leicester chief was responsible for the smart additions of Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Walsh also wanted Everton to sign Alexander Isak, but that transfer failed to materialise as Borussia Dortmund won the race for the then-Swedish teenager.
Francesco Acerbi was another player recommended by Walsh, and now the Italian centre-back is gearing up for a Champions League final with Inter Milan.
So, it could’ve been so different for Walsh on Merseyside.